"A question on the nature of the soul"

[Guest guest]

Dear members,

 

I was reading the second chapter of Bhagavad gita (commentary by Srila

Prabhupada). When explaining some of the slokas in that chapter, Srila

Prabhupada states that the soul in atomic in nature. He further proceeds to

say that both jivatma (which is atomic in nature) and Paramatma recide in

our heart.

 

What I could not understand was whether paramatma is also atomic in

nature according to dvaitists. Moreover, The literal meaning of the

slokas in the second chapter of bhagavad gita does not point towards the

atomic nature of the soul.

 

My questions are

1. What is the nature of soul according to the three main schools of thought?

2. What is the main difference in liberation according to the three schools?

 

I am eagerly awaiting the response for these questions from the

enlightened members of the list.

 

Om namo narayanaya namaha.

 

Sincerely

 

Lakshmi Narasimhan S.

 

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Srirama rama raamethi rame raame mano rame

Sahasranama Thathulyam Rama Nama Varanane

-------------Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam--------

lsriniva,lakshmi,spriniln

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Vanamali Gati Saarngee Changee chakreecha Nandaki

Sriman NarayanoVishnur Vasudevobi Rakshatu

------Parayana Sloka in Vishnu Sahasranama-----

 

Lakshmi N. Srinivasa,lsriniva,sprinil

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[Guest guest]

>

> My questions are

> 1. What is the nature of soul according to the three main schools of thought?

 

To the best of my knowledge, the notion of atomic size of the soul is

rejected in advaita. The nyAya school holds that the AtmA is atomic in

nature, but this is regarded as untenable. In fact, in advaita, as the

Atman is held to be ultimately identical with brahman, it has to be

described as all-pervading, i.e. infinite in nature.

 

Regards,

 

S. Vidyasankar